Main menu

Search results

The Impact of Receptive Tourism on the Subjective Dimension of Poverty in Peru.

Creator

Guerrero, Rodrigo J., Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

This paper examines whether receptive tourism has an impact on subjective poverty in host communities in Peru. Controlling for household characteristics, as well as district, province, and region characteristics, it is found---by means of linear probability models---that an increase in tourist presence in its province reduces a household's probability of being subjectively poor. Following standard practice in past literature, subjective poverty is defined in relation to subjective poverty... Show moreThis paper examines whether receptive tourism has an impact on subjective poverty in host communities in Peru. Controlling for household characteristics, as well as district, province, and region characteristics, it is found---by means of linear probability models---that an increase in tourist presence in its province reduces a household's probability of being subjectively poor. Following standard practice in past literature, subjective poverty is defined in relation to subjective poverty lines derived from answers to the "minimum income question." Similarly, I explore the effect of tourist presence on subjective relative poverty as defined by answers to the "economic ladder question." The effects of tourism exhibit the same direction in both cases. Finally, this paper reports tourist presence statistics at the provincial, regional, and national levels, as well as subjective poverty and subjective relative poverty statistics at the regional and national levels. Show less

Date Issued

2015

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0447

Format

Thesis

Title

The Effects of Universal Preschool on Second Grade Standardized Test Scores in California.

Creator

McElroy, Katherine A., Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

The purpose of this study was to determine if economically integrated preschool, denoted as universal preschool, has a significant effect on the test scores of second grade students in California. Previous studies have shown conclusive results on the positive effect that general preschool has on children's success in school and later in life. This study compared preschool enrollments and standardized test scores across counties in California. Due to the novelty of universal preschool programs... Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if economically integrated preschool, denoted as universal preschool, has a significant effect on the test scores of second grade students in California. Previous studies have shown conclusive results on the positive effect that general preschool has on children's success in school and later in life. This study compared preschool enrollments and standardized test scores across counties in California. Due to the novelty of universal preschool programs, long term and accessible data is rare. This project focused specifically on preschool in counties in California due to the availability of data. The study looks at Los Angeles County because it implemented a universal preschool program, where no other counties in California have. I collected second grade California Standardized Test (CST) score data from the California Department of Education, and I collected county level preschool enrollment data from the United States Census Bureau. To control for differences between counties, the study used a fixed effects model. The study concluded that general preschool has a positive effect on test scores, and negative effect on the percentage of students scoring below basic and far below basic on the CST. The study found trends in the difference between Los Angeles County and the rest of California for the preschool enrollment rates over time, and CST scores over time. Further research could provide cost benefit analyses of universal preschool programs. Such studies could influence education policies regarding preschool to increase education equality. Show less

Date Issued

2015

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0555

Format

Thesis

Title

The Effect of Economic Globalization on Transnational Terrorism a Pooled Time Series Analysis.

Creator

Parks, Danielle M., Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

This research analyzes the effect of economic globalization on the number of transnational terrorist attacks within a country. The pooled time series analysis, conducted on a sample of 160 countries from 1968 to 2014, is an updated, expanded, and revised version of Li and Schaub (2004). The analysis first replicates Li and Schaub (2004) proving the accuracy of the tests. Next, it examines the effect of a larger sample and time period. Finally, existing variables are revised and new variables... Show moreThis research analyzes the effect of economic globalization on the number of transnational terrorist attacks within a country. The pooled time series analysis, conducted on a sample of 160 countries from 1968 to 2014, is an updated, expanded, and revised version of Li and Schaub (2004). The analysis first replicates Li and Schaub (2004) proving the accuracy of the tests. Next, it examines the effect of a larger sample and time period. Finally, existing variables are revised and new variables are added in order to improve the test. Countries have not only become more interconnected, but also the nature of transnational terrorism has radically evolved since prior research was conducted. Following the September 11, 2001, Pentagon and Twin Tower attacks, the world has been facing a new form of terrorism. Empirically, the amount of transnational terrorist attacks globally has been decreasing after the September 11, 2001, transnational terrorist attacks. Overall, the results show that international economic integration has overtime had a greater effect on the number of transnational terrorist attacks than research had previously suggested. Specifically, foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment have a statistically significant negative effect on transnational terrorist attacks within a country. However, trade openness no longer has a direct effect on transnational terrorism. Additionally, a country's economic globalization and partners' economic globalization does not have a statistically significant effect of reducing the amount of transnational terrorist attacks that a country experiences. As a result, the analysis provides policymakers with a greater understanding on what specific economic conditions may currently promote or inhibit the transnational terrorist attacks from occurring within a country. Show less

Date Issued

2015

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0566

Format

Thesis

Title

Empires of Halcyon: An Online Nation Simulator with Macroeconomic Modeling.

Creator

Francis, Daniel, Department of Economics

Date Issued

2013

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0155

Format

Set of related objects

Title

An Analysis of Self-Employment from 2003-2013.

Creator

Wilkins, Spencer, Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

This paper attempts to analyze different trends in self-employment from the years 2003-2013 using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Self-employment can be broken down into two categories: incorporated and unincorporated self-employment. Incorporated self-employed individuals are those who have formed a legal corporation whereas unincorporated self-employed individuals have not. The reason as to why both groups are studied is, typically, those who incorporate are more... Show moreThis paper attempts to analyze different trends in self-employment from the years 2003-2013 using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Self-employment can be broken down into two categories: incorporated and unincorporated self-employment. Incorporated self-employed individuals are those who have formed a legal corporation whereas unincorporated self-employed individuals have not. The reason as to why both groups are studied is, typically, those who incorporate are more entrepreneurial than those who do no incorporate. For example, an incorporated business can be an individual who starts a law firm or medical practice. The trends analyzed here are based on age, industry, and educational attainment. Age, industry, and education are very important for this analysis. Education and age have been observed in a multitude of literature on self-employment and there are observable trends, such as those who are older are more likely to be self-employed. These trends hold true in this research The Great Recession started in December of 2007 and lasted until June 2009. The major cause of this recession was the popping of the housing bubble in the United States. This led to the value of securities bound to real estate pricing in the U.S. to fall drastically, devastating financial institutions. A major contribution of this paper is to see whether the recent financial crisis had a significant impact on self-employment rates. The study is restricted to white males, ages 18-65 who are full-time employed, not in school full-time, and are in non-agricultural occupations. I perform a regression analysis to see which variables have significant effects on overall self-employment, incorporated self-employment, and unincorporated self-employment by age, industry, and educational attainment. Carrasco (1999) references a "pull" and "push" effect in regards to the business cycle and self-employment. This refers to the belief that recessions pull people into self-employment because of the lack of jobs and that booms push entrepreneurial individuals into self-employment because of a higher access to capital. The data analysis in this study finds support for the recession-pull effect on self-employment. Using transnational data, Blanchflower et al. (2001) find that (i) education and self-employment have a negative relationship, and (ii) age and self-employment have a positive relationship. Using CPS data for years 2003-2013, there is support for the second claim of Blanchflower et al., but not for the first. Additional research has shown that higher local unemployment rates lead workers to self-select into self-employment. The process is different for white and non-whites, with education being irrelevant for white self-employed workers. For nonwhites, higher education reduces the probability of entering self-employment (Rissman, 2003). High unemployment leading to start-up activity among self-employed individuals is known as the refugee effect (Thurik et al., 2008). The data analyzed indicates that education is not irrelevant for white self-employed workers; this is also concluded in Evan's and Leighton's (1989) article Some Empirical Aspects of Entrepreneurship. This paper also analyzes the trends in self-employment per industry during the recession. Industry is important to evaluate self-employment because of the 2007 financial crisis. It is expected that construction will be highly affected by this crisis. Another section in this paper is directed towards an interesting finding in the data. In the year 2013, for the first time in the years analyzed, rates for those with less than a high school diploma in unincorporated self-employment have surpassed those with a doctoral degree, becoming the most likely group to become unincorporated self-employed. Show less

Date Issued

2014

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0399

Format

Thesis

Title

Political Parties and their Effect on the U.S. Economy.

Creator

Parker, Logan, Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

The relationship between political parties and the economy in the United States is investigated from 1953 and 2012. Regression models are used to calculate the effect political parties have on the percent change in real gross domestic product (RGDP) and the percent change in the consumer product index for urban consumers (CPI). RGDP is the proxy for the growth of the American economy, and the CPI is the proxy for inflation. The empirical results that are presented in this paper will suggest... Show moreThe relationship between political parties and the economy in the United States is investigated from 1953 and 2012. Regression models are used to calculate the effect political parties have on the percent change in real gross domestic product (RGDP) and the percent change in the consumer product index for urban consumers (CPI). RGDP is the proxy for the growth of the American economy, and the CPI is the proxy for inflation. The empirical results that are presented in this paper will suggest that Republican Party presidents, Republican Party controlled Senates, and Democratic Party controlled House of Representatives have a positive effect on the percent change in RGDP. This analysis also concludes neither political party has a direct effect on the percent change in CPI. Show less

Date Issued

2014

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0365

Format

Thesis

Title

The Impact of Economic Freedom on Women's Socioeconomic Status.

Creator

Thomas, Signè, Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

In this paper, I explore the impact of economic freedom on women's socioeconomic status, using the Economic Freedom of the World Index to measure economic freedom. I perform regression analysis using thirteen different measures for women's socioeconomic status. For my explanatory variables I control for other various factors that could influence women's socioeconomic status, as well as including region dummy variables for different regions of the world. I ran many models of each regression to... Show moreIn this paper, I explore the impact of economic freedom on women's socioeconomic status, using the Economic Freedom of the World Index to measure economic freedom. I perform regression analysis using thirteen different measures for women's socioeconomic status. For my explanatory variables I control for other various factors that could influence women's socioeconomic status, as well as including region dummy variables for different regions of the world. I ran many models of each regression to see if an increase in economic freedom is associated with an increase in women's socioeconomic status for each of my thirteen measures when certain independent variables are omitted and when the dummy variables are omitted. The main regression equation that I explore in deepest detail for each of the thirteen measures is the one that omits the region dummies and GDP. This is the model that best fits this study, because the geographical location itself is not a causal factor of women's socioeconomic status and therefore regions should be omitted from the regression, and economic freedom is a causal factor of income and therefore GDP should be omitted from the regression. For the best-fitting model, eleven out of thirteen measures for women's socioeconomic status show that an increase in economic freedom is associated with an increase in women's socioeconomic status. My results are consistent with the view that higher levels of economic freedom improve the socioeconomic status of women, and my results are robust across multiple measures of women's socioeconomic status, for many regression models. Show less

Date Issued

2013

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0251

Format

Thesis

Title

Extracting Information from Risk Neutral Densities.

Creator

Kahn, Alexander, Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

This paper models a returns process through an Extreme Value Theory based model and how financial fluctuations are transmitted to the macroeconomy. We estimate parametric risk neutral densities and a vector autoregressive model to capture the dynamics of this system. The statespace framework we develop is a natural way to gauge the fluctuations of expectations and how these changes are reflected in changes in the macro variables as well as the other direction. We use S&P 500 European style... Show moreThis paper models a returns process through an Extreme Value Theory based model and how financial fluctuations are transmitted to the macroeconomy. We estimate parametric risk neutral densities and a vector autoregressive model to capture the dynamics of this system. The statespace framework we develop is a natural way to gauge the fluctuations of expectations and how these changes are reflected in changes in the macro variables as well as the other direction. We use S&P 500 European style options to estimate the risk neutral densities and a small set of macroeconomic variables to estimate these models. We show that there is apparent Granger causality between the equities market and the macro variables. We find that there is a need for more research in using this framework to model financial data more robustly. Show less

Date Issued

2013

Identifier

FSU_migr_uhm-0240

Format

Thesis

Title

An Inquiry into the Relationship Between Economic Freedom and Social Mobility.

Creator

Elbrecht, Michael, Department of Economics

Abstract/Description

Problems of income distribution are a major concern of current socio-economic research and constitute the basis for numerous governmental policies. But before one can understand any problems of income distribution one must examine the extent of social mobility. Social mobility is defined as the movement of individuals between income classes and is often viewed as a major indicator of a nation's economic status. Upward social mobility warrants particular interest because it is an indicator of... Show moreProblems of income distribution are a major concern of current socio-economic research and constitute the basis for numerous governmental policies. But before one can understand any problems of income distribution one must examine the extent of social mobility. Social mobility is defined as the movement of individuals between income classes and is often viewed as a major indicator of a nation's economic status. Upward social mobility warrants particular interest because it is an indicator of economic growth. ("Income Distribution…" 2). To demonstrate the importance of accounting for social mobility as a component of income distributions, consider the difference between two societies; both have the same degree of income inequality at the same point in time but after accounting for change in incomes over time, it might be the case that in the first society there is significantly more social mobility than the second, meaning there is more change over time in the individuals' incomes. In the second society, it might be the case that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. After accounting for social mobility, the income distribution in the first society can be described as more equal because there is reason to believe that individuals at least have an opportunity to become rich. Thus, social mobility is critical in understanding the general phenomenon of income distribution. The question becomes, "What causes social mobility?" Some of the notable proposed factors include the levels of educational attainment and political institutions. This paper, however, examines another possible factor: economic freedom. Show less